County honors women helping women

“Women Change America” was the theme when the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors and its Commission for Women honored several local organizations for their ongoing service to women and families on March 1, in honor of Women’s History Month.

First district commissioner Cynthia Thurber presented the honors to Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center for being a “safe haven for women who have been assaulted sexually.”

SBRCC executive director Elsa Granados said she was proud to receive the award, because whenever the organization gets recognition it raises the visibility of sexual violence and more women begin to access their services.

Second district commissioner Magdalena Torres honored Villa Majella‘s maternity home and outreach program.

“It’s an honor for me today to represent all of the founders, directors, staff, volunteers and donors who have worked for the past 23 years to serve women and newborns in our community,” said program director Mary Andrews-Dalbey. “Above all, I applaud the women who have faced challenges and overcome obstacles in a choice to mother their babies. For many, it became the motivation to turn their lives around. They are what we’re all about.”

Prior to receiving the award, Andrews-Dalbey noted how closely many of the organizations that provide services to women and families work together. For example, after living at Villa Majella for up to two months after giving birth, mothers and their babies are often referred to St. Vincent’s for housing and childcare services. SBRCC and the fourth district honoree, Domestic Violence Solutions, often work closely together as well.

Third district supervisor Brooks Firestone selected the UCSB women’s basketball team as service organization of the year, for its Gaucho Outreach Program, which has been involved with a number of public service projects, including Adopt-a-Highway clean-up on Highway 217 and “Lil’ Gaucho” Clinics held at local schools, said commissioner Mary Ellen Brooks.

“I really think that our community outreach is the classic win-win situation. It is a great ‘Habit of Excellence’ for our women — giving to others and making them feel connected to our community,” said coach Mark French. “Also, it’s good role-modeling for local kids to see the Gauchos take time out of their busy day and do something besides play basketball.”

The fifth district also honored the American Association of University Women.

In past years the Commission for Women has chosen a woman of the year and a teen of the year rather than honoring service organizations. Brooks said it changed its focus in 2005 in order to help bring more exposure to these groups and also to encourage more women to get involved in the community.

For more information on the Commission for Women call 568.3410 or email scantil@co.santabarbara.ca.us.

Originally published in South Coast Beacon on March 3, 2005.

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